Google hardens applications for the enterprise?

I have a ****** relationship with Google. Last week I was *****ing about the search giant because of bugs in its Blogger platform. This week harmony has been restored.

Google Mail and Docs users have opened their web browsers in the last couple of weeks to find a stack of new features have been added to each application in what looks like a move by Google to make its applications enterprise ready.

Google Mail has grown up into a full-fledged email application with the addition of features including a new mobile client. IMAP for syncing to mobile devices, the ability to retrieve mail from other accounts and respond from other domains, an auto-responder, mail aliases and all sorts of formatting tricks.

Meanwhile the new Google Docs Offline feature gives you access to your documents when there is no Internet connection. The new feature uses Google Gears to download your documents onto your computer.

We’re power users of Google Docs at home using the simplicity of the platform to create what’s become a domestic intranet for sharing calendars (using Google Calendar), documents and spreadsheets. Its rare that I an application other than at web browser at home.

Both Google Mail and Google Docs remain in Beta. How long before they are ready for the enterprise?

Also posted on www.rainierpr.co.uk